Gingival

Gingival describes the gingiva, the soft tissue that surrounds and protects the teeth. The gingiva forms part of the oral mucosa and lines the margins of the teeth, comprising the free gingiva around the teeth and the attached gingiva anchored to the underlying bone, with interdental papilla filling the spaces between teeth.

Healthy gingiva is pink, firm, and may show surface stippling. The mucogingival junction separates keratinized gingival epithelium from the movable alveolar mucosa. The gingival margin forms a scalloped contour around each tooth, and the sulcus is the shallow space between tooth and gingival wall. The gingival tissue provides a protective seal that helps safeguard the periodontal attachment from mechanical irritation and bacterial challenge.

Functionally, the gingiva contributes to barrier function, immune defense, and tissue turnover around teeth. Its health is assessed by color, contour, consistency, and the presence or absence of bleeding on probing. Changes in gingival appearance can indicate inflammatory or systemic conditions and influence periodontal prognosis.

Gingival disease commonly begins with plaque-induced gingivitis, marked by redness, swelling, and bleeding. If inflammation progresses to the supporting tissues, periodontitis can develop, with attachment loss and bone loss. Other gingival conditions include recession, gingival hyperplasia, and drug-induced overgrowth. Management emphasizes good plaque control, professional cleaning, and, when indicated, surgical interventions such as gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, flap procedures, or grafts for root coverage.

Clinically, assessment of gingival health informs diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis, and may reflect risk factors such as smoking or systemic diseases.